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Community Workshops Provide Opportunities for Public Participation in South Bruce

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Members of South Bruce Council and South Bruce Community Liaison Committee and others, in attendance at a regular meeting of the CLC, participated in the first workshop to provide input into establishing a set of values and principles to lay the foundation for future discussions.

South Bruce residents were recently invited to consider the shared values and principles that will guide the community and the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) as they engage in future discussions and decision-making about Canada’s plan for the safe, long-term management of used nuclear fuel.

South Bruce is one of several communities learning about the used fuel project and exploring the possibility of hosting the deep geological repository and Centre of Expertise, which are part of Canada’s plan. None of these communities have committed to hosting the project.

Community workshops held in South Bruce provided an opportunity for the public to consider what shared values and principles are needed to guide future detailed discussions about what it would mean if suitable geology was identified in the area and the community was willing to host the project.

“These shared values and principles are very important because they will set the groundwork for how South Bruce and the NWMO will talk with each other and make decisions together,” said, Jo-Ann Facella, NWMO’s Director of Community Well-Being, Assessment and Dialogue. “This work is key as we move forward to the next steps.”

Once the values and principles are established, the next step would be to begin detailed discussions around partnership – an important step as the project will only be implemented in an area with the involvement of the community, First Nation and Métis communities in the area and surrounding communities working together to implement it. Other discussions will include how the project could be configured to fit with South Bruce’s priorities and objectives, and what investments might be needed in the area to enhance well-being.

The municipality and the NWMO are continuing to seek ideas from community members. Those who could not attend a workshop but would like to provide their comments on proposed values and principles to guide future discussions are invited to visit the municipal office at 21 Gordon Street, Teeswater, or the NWMO Learn More Centre at 12B Clinton Street to gather information and provide comments until January 31.